Su Hong’s speechless expression drew a cold snort from the restaurant owner.

“Thought you had guts? Scared speechless after two sentences?”

Uncertain how to respond, Su Hong frowned and raised a hand to rub his eyes.

But seeing his motion, Lia startled and quickly wrapped her arms around his arm from behind—before he could even lift it.

“Don’t! Su Hong, please don’t do this! They’re awful, but not worth killing! Have a little more faith in this world. If you act on impulse and kill so easily… you’ll only fall deeper. Your expressions have grown gentler. The confusion and loneliness in your eyes are fading. Please don’t shut yourself away again over this. No matter how much you’ve been hurt or forgotten, I’ll show you what’s good. I beg you—don’t do this!”

She clung tightly, trembling, as if afraid he’d vanish the moment she let go.

Su Hong felt her shiver—but a headache throbbed behind his temples.

*Shutting myself off? Well… not entirely wrong. But that’s all thanks to my damn luck!*

*It’s got nothing to do with what Lia’s worried about!*

Before he could explain, Lia’s grandfather released the Spirit Card sign and stepped firmly between them and the owner.

“No one harms my granddaughter or her friend! Get out! Or I’ll bite your neck off with my bare teeth!”

He glared fiercely, lips parted slightly—ready to lunge.

Intimidated, the owner instinctively stepped back half a pace and slid a Spirit Card into the Spirit Card Slot.

“Try it, old man! Let’s see who falls first—you or me!”

At his shout, employees scrambled to ready their own Spirit Cards.

Su Hong sighed softly and patted Lia twice on the back.

“It’s okay. I was just asking.”

Lia slowly loosened her grip. Su Hong gently pulled her grandfather back, then faced the owner again.

“I haven’t even asked—what do you want with the Spirit Card Cinema and its creator?”

“A Spirit Card and Spirit Glyphsmith like this? Does your shabby restaurant deserve them? They belong to me—”

Su Hong cut him off, pulling two pre-made Spirit Cards from his pocket.

“Take them to your place? So it’s extortion. My mistake. Then I won’t hold back.”

Silence crashed over the room.

The cards in his hand mirrored the ones playing inside—and he’d pulled out *two*, casually.

The owner’s eyes widened, greed flashing. “You’re the Spirit Glyphsmith?!”

Outside, the queue erupted. People stood on tiptoe, straining to see.

Lia’s grandfather gaped, utterly stunned.

“Correct. Two words: not for sale.” Su Hong pointed toward the door.

*If I can just send him away, Lia won’t worry.*

But the owner’s grin widened. *Spirit Glyphsmiths are weak. And this kid made them? Even safer.*

“Sell? When did I say I’d pay? *You’re* coming to work at my restaurant too—with the cards!”

He lunged.

Su Hong didn’t blink. Didn’t move.

*Crack!*

The floorboards beneath the owner’s feet—rotten or shattered from his earlier stomp—gave way. Both feet sank deep.

His charge faltered. Before reaching Su Hong, he tumbled forward.

*Crack, crack!* Even his hands, thrown out to brace, plunged into the wood.

“Damn it! What rotten floor is this?!”

He roared, yanking at his trapped limbs. Splinters bit into his wrists.

Trapped on all fours, he looked like he was bowing deeply to Su Hong.

An awkward hush fell. Someone stifled a snicker.

“Hurry up and get me out!” the owner snarled at his staff.

“Y-yes, boss!”

They rushed over, tugging clumsily—until his pained howl cut them off.

“Stop! Aaah—! It hurts! Get back! You’ll break my hands!”

They froze, stepping back nervously.

As Lia and her grandfather stood stunned, Su Hong stood before the trapped man, spreading his hands with weary resignation.

“I warned you to leave. You wouldn’t listen. I hate this. Just dig yourself out and go home—this was the *easy* way. Bother me again? Don’t be surprised if something life-threatening happens. Like Lia… I’m doing this for your own good. Understand?”